Jasper town
Hostels, foodThe small town in the valley.
Town guide
Things to do in Jasper
The quieter, wilder side of the Rockies: Maligne Lake and Spirit Island, the Icefields Parkway, elk, bears and caribou, Miette Hot Springs and some of the darkest skies in the world.
3
Hostels in the city
8.5
Average, from 615 reviews
11,000+ km²
Of national park
3–4
Days
Wild, dark and quieter than Banff
Jasper is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, north of Banff along the Icefields Parkway. The town of Jasper is small and relaxed, with fewer visitors than Banff and more wildlife: elk, bighorn sheep, black and grizzly bears, and moose are all seen regularly.
In July 2024, a wildfire burned through part of the park and destroyed around a third of the buildings in the town. Jasper reopened quickly and is welcoming visitors again, with most businesses, trails and sights open. Some areas remain closed, including the Maligne Canyon trailhead and Cavell Meadows, so check Parks Canada's open and closed list before you go.
Maligne Lake, with boat cruises to Spirit Island, the Athabasca Falls, Miette Hot Springs and the Columbia Icefield on the Parkway are the highlights. Jasper is also a Dark Sky Preserve, one of the largest in the world. Give it three or four days.
Where to base yourself
Jasper town for hostels and food, or campgrounds and lodges in the park for nature.
Maligne Valley
Lakes, wildlifeMedicine Lake and Maligne Lake.
Icefields Parkway
Glaciers, fallsSouth towards the Columbia Icefield.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 3 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Jasper
Drive or take a tour to Maligne Lake, and take the boat cruise to Spirit Island, or paddle there. Stop at Medicine Lake on the way. Visit Athabasca Falls and Sunwapta Falls, and drive the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield, where tours go onto the Athabasca Glacier.
Soak in Miette Hot Springs, and hike to Pyramid Lake and Pyramid Island, or along the Valley of the Five Lakes. Look for wildlife at dawn and dusk along the roads.
On clear nights, go stargazing in the Dark Sky Preserve; the Jasper Dark Sky Festival is in October. In winter, ski at Marmot Basin and skate on frozen lakes.
More on things to do in Jasper
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
With a park pass, the hiking trails, Athabasca Falls, Pyramid Lake and the Valley of the Five Lakes are free.
Wildlife watching and stargazing cost nothing.
The park pass costs about €7 a day for an adult, or about €45 for an annual Discovery Pass.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Jasper has a smaller choice of restaurants than Banff, with pubs, cafes and a few good restaurants. Try Alberta beef and bison, and the local brewery's beers.
Supermarkets and hostel kitchens are the way to save money.
Menu prices do not include tax or tip: add sales tax at the till and 15 to 20 per cent tip in restaurants and bars.
Nightlife
Going out
Nightlife is a few pubs and a brewery in town, busy with seasonal workers in summer and skiers in winter.
The best nights are spent stargazing.
Watch for elk on the streets after dark.
Getting around
Getting around
Jasper is about four hours' drive from Edmonton airport and about four hours from Banff along the Icefields Parkway. VIA Rail's Canadian stops in Jasper on its way between Toronto and Vancouver, and buses and shuttles run from Edmonton and Banff.
A car is the easiest way to get around the park; tours run to Maligne Lake and the Icefield.
The Parkway has no phone signal for long stretches, and services are limited in winter.
Costs
What Jasper costs
Jasper is expensive, and accommodation is limited after the 2024 fire, so book early. Dorm beds start at around €35 to €60 a night. Restaurant mains cost €16 to €28 before tax and tip.
Alberta has no provincial sales tax, only 5 per cent federal tax. Menu prices do not include tax or tip: add sales tax at the till and 15 to 20 per cent tip in restaurants and bars.
Add the park pass and tours.
Safety
Safety and scams
Jasper is very safe; the risks are outdoors. Carry bear spray, keep your distance from wildlife and never feed animals. Elk are especially dangerous in the autumn rut and spring calving season.
Stay on open, designated trails: areas burned in 2024 can have falling trees, and some remain closed.
Weather changes fast in the mountains, and roads can be icy from October to May. In an emergency, call 911.
Worth the trip
Lakes, falls and glaciers.
Maligne Lake
Boat cruise to Spirit Island.
Columbia Icefield
The Athabasca Glacier.
Athabasca Falls
Powerful falls in a canyon.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Dark skies and winter.
October
Jasper Dark Sky Festival
Jasper
Astronomy events and talks.
December to April
Ski season
Marmot Basin
Skiing near town.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Jasper, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
When to go
June to September is the main season, with all roads and trails open. September is quieter, with golden colours and the elk rut. December to March is ski and stargazing season.
Jan
Skiing, dark skies
Feb
Skiing
Mar
Late skiing
Apr
Quiet
May
Roads opening
Jun
Summer begins
Jul
Peak season
Aug
Peak season
Sep
Elk rut, quieter
Oct
Dark Sky Festival
Nov
Quiet
Dec
Ski season
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Nights are cold all year.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Jasper prices.
Treat these as a guide, before tax and tip. Park passes and tours cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Jasper questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is Jasper open after the 2024 wildfire?
Yes. The town and most of the park are open, though some trails and areas remain closed. Check Parks Canada's list before you go.
Banff or Jasper?
Jasper is quieter and wilder, with more wildlife. Banff has more to do. Drive the Icefields Parkway between them.
How do I get to Jasper?
By car or bus from Edmonton or Banff, or by VIA Rail's Canadian.
Do I need a park pass?
Yes. About €7 a day for an adult, or about €45 for an annual Discovery Pass.
When is the best time to visit Jasper?
June to September.
Can I see wildlife in Jasper?
Yes, especially elk, bighorn sheep and bears. Keep your distance.
Is Jasper good for stargazing?
Yes. It is one of the largest Dark Sky Preserves in the world.
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